The confirmation came during a provincial meeting held this week, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, who joined a teleconference with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in Bangkok to discuss preparations for the nationwide test.
The meeting, held at the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) at Phuket Provincial Hall, was joined by officials from provincial agencies and mobile service providers.
The session was part of a national exercise to ensure the effectiveness and readiness of Thailand’s Cell Broadcast disaster warning system, designed to send emergency alerts directly to mobile phones, explained an official report of the meeting.
The nationwide test, scheduled for 2pm on Jan 20, will see messages sent simultaneously to all mobile users across the country. The system will be tested in coordination with major network providers including National Telecom (NT), AIS and True Corporation.
Vice Governor Adul said Phuket’s participation marks a significant step toward improving public safety and confidence among both residents and tourists.
“Phuket must be fully prepared to ensure the system operates effectively and that people understand the alerts,” he said, adding that the test will also help strengthen coordination between local and national emergency services.
Earlier trial stages of the system were held earlier this year at smaller scales – including building-level tests on May 6, district-level tests on May 7, and provincial-level trials on May 13.
During the meeting this week, DDPM officials also briefed provinces on disaster response measures and the government’s latest flood relief fund allocations.
Under a Cabinet resolution passed on Oct 21, each affected household is entitled to receive B9,000 in flood compensation, with funds totalling B6.16 billion to be distributed nationwide via PromptPay.
Residents can seek more information through the 24-hour DDPM hotline 1784 or by contacting the Phuket DDPM office at 076-510097 or 076-510098, or via Line ID: @DDPM1784.
Vice Governor Adul also urged all agencies to prioritise efficient water management amid ongoing rainfall, stressing the need to conserve water for the coming dry season while ensuring proper drainage to reduce flood risk.
“Phuket must manage water wisely and be ready for all conditions,” he said.